Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

115. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider a mixed non-religious school for the site of Harold's Cross greyhound track recently purchased by his Department; if so, the timeframe for development; the general plans for the site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23696/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Officials from my Department have had preliminary discussions with officials from the relevant local authority regarding the zoning of the site.

With regard to specific school provision for the site referred to by the Deputy, my Department is currently engaged in a review of demographics which will determine the extent of new school provision required nationwide. 

Initial projections indicate a requirement for additional places at post-primary level across both the school planning area where the site is situated and the adjoining school planning areas. Projected increases in the primary level population in these areas are also indicated.

Where a requirement for additional schools has been identified, a patronage assessment process will commence to determine who will operate such schools.

As the Deputy will be aware, the patronage assessment process includes the opportunity for parents to express their preference for a particular school model.  These parental preferences are key to decisions made regarding patronage of all new schools.